Public appointment: Trustees reappointed to the Board of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon MSP, today announced the reappointment of Professor Sarah Gurr and Liz Trevor as Trustees to the Board of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. 

Trustees 

Professor Sarah Gurr is a renowned British plant pathologist. She holds the Chair in Food Security at Exeter University and was, formerly, Professor of Molecular Plant Pathology at Oxford University. Professor Gurr’s research focuses on plant diseases, particularly fungal infections, their global movement and disease control. She is a Member of the Science and Medical Panel of the Wolfson Trust, President of the British Mycological Society, Chair of the Advisory Panel of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and a Member of the Science Advisory Committee of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 

Liz Trevor is a strategic business development adviser working across the public, private and not for profit sectors. Prior to setting up her own business, her career spanned over 20 years working in senior management roles in the UK airports sector. Previously, Liz served as a Non-Executive Director of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and is currently a Non-Executive director of the James Hutton Institute. 

Reappointments 

The reappointments are for four years from 16 September 2025 until 15 September 2029. 

The reappointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner. 

Remuneration and time commitment 

The time commitment is ten days per year. Trustee roles are not remunerated. 

Other Ministerial appointments 

Professor Sarah Gurr and Liz Trevor do not hold any other public appointments made by Scottish Ministers. 

Political activity 

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. 

Professor Sarah Gurr and Elizabeth Trevor have had no political activity within the last five years. 

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 

As a world-leading research institute with a mission “to explore, conserve and explain the world of plants”, we contribute significantly to Scottish Government’s National outcomes by protecting and restoring habitats, bolstering economic development and providing education, skills development and social inclusion. Working in around 40 countries we are also major proponents of international cooperation. 

Our work is guided by three themes: 

• Unlocking knowledge and understanding of plants and fungi for the benefit of society. 
• Conserving and developing botanical collections as a global resource. 
• Enriching and empowering individuals and communities through learning and engagement with plants and fungi.